Aidan O’Brien on Delacroix: I wouldn’t rule anything in or out

Aidan O’Brien says “all the possibilities” are there for Delacroix after his brilliant win in the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes.

The Dubawi colt’s victory at Leopardstown on Saturday was a second Group One of the season for the son of Dubawi, atoning for his defeat in the Juddmonte International behind Ombudsman, having beaten John and Thady Gosden’s colt in the Coral-Eclipse.

A deciding third clash in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot next month would arguably be the race of the season, although O’Brien was at pains in the immediate aftermath to stress his stallion career is key in the minds of his connections and to that end he could even have been seen for the last time.

Giving an update at the Curragh on Sunday, O’Brien said: “What we saw in Sandown (Eclipse) was very hard to believe. He did it again; when you ask him to accelerate, he accelerates. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a horse to cover two furlongs like he did.

“The lads are very sporting and love watching their horses running, so we’ll see how he is and see how the ground is and how they feel.

“We’ve seen over the years at Ascot it can be bottomless, but I wouldn’t rule anything in or out.

“He’ll get back cantering and after 10 days we’ll know how he is. The lads will then talk and see what they want to do. All the possibilities are there for him.”

Looking forward to his future career at stud, he added: “With a pedigree like he has, the physique and the ability to quicken – there are very few horses like him.

“He’s by Dubawi and is out of a Bernstein mare so he’s an outcross and can cover all the Northern Dancer type mares.”